Velocipede



(No Moden 4 sheets-sheet 1.

J. F. STEPFA.

` VELOGIPEDB. No. 375,961. Patented Jan. 3, 1888l @Www/ .u BY

ATTORNEYS.

(No Model.)

I 4Sheets-Sheet 2. J. P. STEPPA. Y

VBLOGIPEDE.

IN VENTOR j@ ATTORNEYS Ptented Jan. 3, 1888.

(No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet 3.

VBLOGIPEDE. No. 375,961. l Patented Ja,11.3, 1888.

Himmmrm` a E n w u gw Yl llliTl'lTlllm n n S l l WITNESSES: N INVENTOR:

i ATTORNEYS.

N. PETERSA PhnmLimugnplmr. wnshingim DA C.

I 4 Sheets-Sheet 4,

(No Model.)

J. F. STEPFA.

VBLOGIPBDB.

P a/entedV Jan. 3, 1888,

@n A@ Sw INVEN TOR @Ma/ ATTORNEYS.

l-lll lllllllllllllll l UNITED ASTATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES F. STEFFA, OF ROOKVALE, ILLINOIS.

VELOC-IPEDE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 375,961, dated January 3, 1888.

Application filed April 1G, 1887. Serial No 235,068. (No model.)

To all whom, z' may concern:

Beit known that I, JAMES FRANKLIN STEF- Fa, of Rockvale township, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented a newand Improved Motor, of which the followingis a full,elear, and exact description.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved motor adapted for traction or stationary purposes, for running light machinery, for transporting light material, and for various other purposes.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the various parts and details and combinations of the saine, as will be fully described hereinafter, and then pointed out in the claims.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure 1 isa sectional side elevation of my improvement on theline xx of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 isa sectional plan view ofthe same on theliney i/ of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the same on the line zz of Fig. 1, looking lin the direction of the arrow z. Fig. 4t is a front elevation of the forward part of my machine. Fig. 5 is a sectional plan view of part of my improvement on the line a u of Fig. 3. Fig. is an enlarged sectional side elevation of part ofthe same on tl-ieline o o of Fig. 5,1001(- ing in the direction of the arrow o. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of the same on the line v o ot' Fig. `5, looking in the direction of the arrow o2. Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional side elevation of part ofmy improvement on the linew 'w of Fig.5. Fig.9is asimilar sectional plan View of the same on the line w fw' of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is an end elevation of the operators seat, parts being in section on the line tof Fig. 1.. Fig. 11 is an enlarged side elevation of the stirrup of the steering device. Fig 12 is a plan View of the lock and indicator of the steering device, and Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the brake-shoe and its connection.

The main frame A, of suitable size and shape, is secured at its rear end to the axle B, carrying the main driving-wheels B', loosely mounted on the said axle B. The front part of the frame A is support-ed on the steeringframe C, adapted to tilt sidewise on the kingbolt C', held on the said front part of the frame A, and in the steering-frame C are mounted the steering front wheels, C2. On the inside of each of t-he main driving-Wheels B is secured a gear-wheel, B2, engaging a pinion, D, secured to a shaft, D, mounted in a frame, E, adapted to slide up and down in suitable guides, E', formed on the main frame A, so that the pinions D can be thrown in and ont of contact with the said gear-wheels B2. The frame E can be raised or lowered by the adjustable lever E2, connected by its inner end with the iniddle of the said frame E, and being pivoted at F.3 to a bracket, Et, secured to the main frame A. The bracket E* is provided with a segmental arm, E5, having notches to engage corresponding lugs formed on one side of the lever EZ near its outer handle end, as shown plainly in Figs. 1 and 2. The lever El is thus held in a locked position by thelugs engaging the notched on the segmental arm E5.

Each shaft D is adapted to slide up and down with its frame E, and also adapted'to slide endwise in its bearings on the said frame by the sliifting-le\'e1D?,(see Figs. 5 and 7,) pivoted by its lower end to the frame E, and adapted to engage at its upper handle end the notches E6, formed on the plate ET of the frame-E. The shifting-lever DL operates against a collar, D3, held loosely on the shaft D, and `to the said collar D3 is secured one end of the spring Dt, coiled on the shaft D, and secured at its other end on the collar D5, adapted to slide on and turn with the shaft D by means of the screw D, screwing on the collar D5 and engaging a slot, D7, formed on the said shaft D. (See Figs. 5, 6, and 7.) On the inner end of each shaft D is secured a clutch-wheel, D8, adapted to engagea similar clutch-wheel, F', fastened at the outer end of the main driving shaft F, held 'transversely in suitable bearings on the frame E in line with the said shafts D.

On the shaft F is secured a gear-wheel, F2, onavhich operatesadriving mechanism. (Illustrated in detail in Figs. 8 and 9.) This mechanism isprovided with a forward and backward rocking frame,G,having an arm, G', pivoted on the upper end ofthe weighted lever H, fulcrumed on an arm, H', secured to the sliding frame E1 The frame G is provided with two parallel hollow arms, Gf2 and G3, respectively open at the inside and inclosing two op- IOS) I H5 of the arm H2.

posite edges of the gear wheel F2, which is guided in the said hollow arms. In each ot the said arms G'l and G3 is hung on a bolt, G, a bar, G5, adapted to slide on the bolt G, but being held in an innermost position on the inner end of the bolt G4 by a spring, G6", resting against the respective arms G2 or G3,and pressing on the ends of the said bars G5. On each of the latter are pivoted a number of inwardly-- projecting pawls, G, pivoted to a second bar, Gl, pivotally connected to one end of the lever GS, lulcrumed in its middle on a link, G, pivotetl on the main frame G in line with the pivot ofthe latter and the center ofthe shaft F. The pawlsGG ofthe upper and lower bars,G5, stand in opposite directions to each other and engage the teeth of the gear-wheel F2 on the forward and backward rocking motion of the frame G, thus turning the wheel FZ and its shaft F in one direction. The position of the pawls GG, however, can be changed, so as to turn the wheel F2 either forward or backward, by shifting the lever G8, which is aecomplished by an arm, H2, pivotally connected with one end of said lever GS and provided with notches H3, adapted to engage a lug, G, formed on the arm G. Thehandle H5 is formed on the outer end ol" the arm HZ, and serves to raise the latter out of contact with the lug G", and also serves to change the position of the lever Gs by pulling or pushing on the handle XVhen the lever GB thus changes its position, then the pawls G6 are caused to turn in opposite direction by the bars GT, so that the pawls GG will imparta reverse motion to the wheel F2 on the backward and forward rocking motion of the frame G.

The arm G of the rocking frame G is pivotally connected with the pitman I, extending upward toward the front of the machine, and pivotally connected at its upper end tothe short arm of the rocking lever J, mounted to rock loosely on the rod K,secured transversely to the frame A. The upper long end of the rocking lever J is connected by the pitrnan I with the short end of the lever J, mounted to rock loosely on the rod K,seeured transversely to the frame A. The long end of the rocking lever Jis connected by the pitman Il with the short end of the rocking lever J2, mounted to rock loosely on the rod K, and thelong end of this lever Jl is connected by thepitman I3 with the short end ofthe lever J3, mounted to rock on the rod K. The long end of this lever J3 is'conneeted by the pitman I* with the short end of the levcrJ", mounted to rock loosely on the rod K, and the long end of this lever Jis connected by the pitman I5 with the main Ueshaped hand-lever J5, mounted to swing on the rod K, being provided with a handle, J6, near it upper end. It will be seen that when the lever J5 is moved forward and backward it imparts a rocking motion to the several levers J, J, J2, J3, and J4, and a similar motion to the frame G, rocking on the weighted lever H, thus imparting motion to the gear-wheel F2, as before' described. vThe frame G can also be rigidly attached to the pitman I by detaching the arm G from the weighted lever-arm H and bolting it to the pitman I by passing a bolt through one of the outer holes in G and through a hole in the pitman to fit it.

On one of the clutch-wheels F on the shaft F is formed a sprocket-wheel, F3, connected by a sprocket-chain, F", to the spocket-wheel F5, secured to the shaft L, mounted transversely in suitable bearings on the main frame A,and carrying on each end a [1y-wheel, L. The sprocket-wheel F5 is provided with several steps for increasing or diminishing the speed of the shaft L when the chain F* is changed and passed over the respective step ofv the spocketwheel F5. Instead of the sprocketchain F", I may use a belt. In orderto take up the slack of the chain Fcaused either by the up-and-down movement of the frame E, carrying the said sprocket chain-wheel F,or by changing the chain F* to a smaller step on the sprocket-wheel F5, I provide the sprocket chain-tightening wheels N and N, of which the wheel N is mounted on a lever, N2, pivoted on its upper end on the main frame A, and engaging, by means of a slot in its lower end, a segmental arm, N3, to which the lever N can be fastened by a setscrew, Nt. The other tightening-wheel, N, is mounted on the end of a large bar, N5, guided in the keeper N, secured to a crossbeam of the main frame A, and held in any desired position by the Ushaped clamp N7, held engaged with the notches'of the bar N5 by a spring, N, press ing the said clamp Ndownward. (See Fig. l.) The tightening pulleys N and N are moved inward or outward, according to circumstances,to tighten the chain F* by moving their respective lever N2 or the bar N5 and fastening the same in position by the set-screw N and the U-shaped clamp Nl, respectively. The chain belt-tightener wheels N and N need not be sprocket wheels, but may be sinoothfaced pulleys.

The steering-frame C, yielding sidewise on the king-bolt C and supporting the wheels C2, consists of the cross-beam C3, turning on the said king-bolt C', and forming on each outer end a bearing for the pin C, secured to the Ushaped frame C5, in each of which a steering-wheel, C2, is mounted. The pins Gearry the sprocket-wheels C, over which passes the sprocket chain C7, also passing over the sprocket-wheel Cseeured to the vertical shaft O, held on its lower part in a bearing formed of a cross beam of the main frame A, and on its upper part is journaled in a plate, O, secured to the top of the main frame A on one side.

On the lower end ofthe shaft O is pivoted a shoe, O3, adapted to turn the shaft O,and also used for operating the lock holding the shaft in position. This lock consists of an arm, P, pivoted to the upper end of the shaft O, and provided on its outer end with a lug adapted to engage notches O", formed in a half-circle on top of the plate O2. The arm P is held in ICP IlO

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contact with the said notches by a spring, P', and can be raised out of contact with the said notches by a rod,P2, pivotally connected with the said arm P and with the front end of the shoe O3. On the outer end of the arm P is also secured a handle, P3, for lifting the said arm out of contact with the notches O* by hand.

The rear wheels, B', are braked by brake- Shoes Q, pivotally connected with the crankarms Q, secured to the shaft Q2, held in suitable bearings on the main frame A. The shaft Q is provided with a downwardly-extending arm, Q, connected by the link Q* with a-lever, Q5, pivoted on the main frame A, and provided on its upper end with alug, Q, adapted to engage corresponding notches formed on the segment Q7, secured to the main frame A on one side. Each brake shoe Q is held onits respective crank-arm Q by a pin, Q8, passing through the said crank-arm and held in aslot, Q9, formed on the outside of the said brakeshoe Q in such a manner that theinner part of the brake-shoe rests on the inner end of the said pin Q8, as shown in Fig. 13.

On the rear end of the frame A is placed a platform, A', above which are held one, two, or more seats, R, each secured to springs R', fulcrnmed on the upper end of a rod, R2, eX- tending downward through a slot, R3, formed in the standard R, erected on the mainframe A. Each rod R is provided near its upper end with an extension, R5, having a lug, R, on which the said spring R rests,thus preventing the spring R from turning downward and at the same time allowing the spring to yield when the seat is occupied.

On each extension R5 is secured a downwardly extending notched spring bar, R1, adapted to engage with its notches a beveled shoulder formed on the standard R4 in the said aperture R3, as plainly shown in Fig. l. The notched bar RT thus rests on the said beveled shoulder, and thereby supports the extension R5, the bar R2, and the seat R. The notched bar R7 can be raised or lowered by pressing the said bar outward, thus disengaging the notches from the beveled shoulder and moving the entire seat up or down until the required height is obtained, after which one of the notches in the bar R7, when releasing the pressure on the said bar, again engages the beveled shoulderon the standard R1. The springs R' on each seat It, on account of being pivoted on the bar RZ, permit of throwing the seat R backward whenever desired, as shown on one side of Fig. 2,thus giving more room for the operator on the platform A.

The operation is as follows: When it is del sired to use the motor for traction purposes, then the frame E is moved into its lowest position by the arm E, so that the gear-wheels D' engage the gear wheels" B2 on the main wheels B. The shifting-levers DZ are then moved into the position shown in Fig. 3 and to the left in Fig. 5, so that the clutch-wheels DS engage the clutch-wheels F on the shaft F. The operators on the seats R- take hold ofthe handle JG ofthe U-shaped lever J5, and move the same forward and backward, so as to impart a rocking motion to the several levers, J, J', J2, J3, and J", and by means of the last pitman I impart a similar rocking motion to the frame G, which by its pawls CT6 turns the gear-wheel F2 and its shaft F. As the shaft F is connected with the main shaft D, and the same carries the gcarwheels D', meshing into the gear-wheels B, it will be seen that a rotary motion is imparted to the main drivingwheels, thus propelling the machine. The

`shaft F also imparts a rotary motion to the shaft L by means of the sprocket-wheels F3 and F and the sprocket chain F", so that the fly-wheels L insure a" constant motion of the said shafts L and F. The operator can also steer the machine by placing one foot in the shoe O3 and by pressing the rear end of the shoe downward with his heel so as to lift,with the rod P2, the arm P out of contact with the notches O, thus permitting the turning of the shaft O by turning the said shoe O3 to one side, either to the right or left, according to the steering desired. The turning motion of the shaft imparts motion to the sprocket-chain Gi, whereby the sprocket-wheels C5 on the steering-frame G are turned, thus turning the steering-wheels C`l simultaneously in one direction, either to the right or left, according to the movement given to the shaft O by the foot of the operator. The operator may also steer the apparatus by operating the arm P by hand by taking hold of the handle P and lifting the same and then turning the arm P, whereby the shaft O is also turned and causes the sprocketchain C7 to operate on the sprocket-wheels in the same manner, as above described. The notches()4 are numbered, as shown in Fig. l2, so as to indicate the degree to which the wheels CL are swung from their normal position. The operator can brake the wheels B by moving the lever Q5 backward, so that the shoes Q are swung into contact with the rims of the wheels B.

Vhen it is desired to use the machine as a stationary power, then the operator disengages the lever E2 from the notches in the segmental arm E and presses the said lever downward, so that the trame E is moved upward in its guides E, whereby the gear-wheels D are disconnected from thegear-wheels B2. The shifting-levers D2 are then moved outward to engage the outer notches, E, of the platev ET, as shown tothe rightin Fig. 5,whereby the clutchwheels DB are disengaged from the clutchwheels F. rEhe rotary motion imparted to the shaft F, as before described, is transmitted to the shaft L, and can be utilized in anysuitable manner by connecting said shaft L or its iiywheels L with the machinery to be driven.

The gear B`Z and wheel Fa may be changed in size, so as to increase or diminish the speed and power of the machine when used for traction purposes. The sliding frame E permits any change of said gear-wheels, as it can be raised or lowered to any desired height by the ICO l'IO

4 eas-,961

lever E2 and held in the said raised orlowered position. The power of the pitmen I, I', Il, e., the levers J, Jf, Ste., can also be changed by adjusting the pivot-points nearer to or farther from the fulcrum K or K, and also by adjusting thelast pit-man, I5, up or down on the operating-lever J Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a motor, the combination, with the drive-wheels, a main d1iving-shaft,and means for operating the drive-wheels from said shaft, of an auxiliary driving-shaft and means for disconnecting the main driving shaft from the driving-wheels and operating the auxiliary driving-shaft from the main shaft, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a motor, the combination, 'with the supporting-frame and drive-wheels provided with gear-wheels, of a driving-shaft provided with gear wheels meshing with the gearwheels of thedriving-wheels,and havinga vertical and sidewise movement, and means for operating the said driving-shaft, substantially as herein shown and described.

3. In a motor, the combination,with a driving-shaft provided with a gear-wheel, of a reciprocating frame carrying reversible pawls engaging said gear-wheels, a hand-lever, and intermediate mechanism between the handlever and the reciprocating frame, substantially as herein shown and described.

4. In a motor, the combination, with the main driving-shaft F and the gear-wheel F2, mounted on the same, of the pawls G, operating on the teeth of the said gear-wheel F2, the yielding bars G5, supporting the said pawls G, and the rocking vframe G ,adaptcd to move forward and backward so as to impart by its pawls G6 motion to the said gear-wheel F2 and the main shaft F, substantially as shown and described.

5. In ainotor, the combination, with the main driving-shaft F and the gear-wheel F2, secured on the said shaft, of the pawls G, engaging the two sides of said gear-wheel F2, a yielding bar supporting the said pawls G, the rocking frame G, supporting the said yielding bars G5, and the weighted lever H, on which the said frame is fulcrnmcd, substantially as shown and described.

6. In a motor, the main shaft F and the gear-wheel F2, secured on the said shaft F, combined with the pawls G6, adapt-ed to engage the said gear-wheel FZ on two opposite sides, the bar G5, carrying said pawls G, the bolt Gt, supporting'said bar G5, the spring G60, adapted to press on said bar G5, and the swinging frame G, having two hollowT arms, G2 and G3, each supporting one bolt G", substantially as shown and described.

7. In a motor, the rocking frame G, having two hollow arms, G'2 and G, the bolts G4, supported in the said hollow arms, the yielding bars G5, held on said bolts G", and the pawls G6, pivoted on said bars G5, in combination with the bars G7, pivotally connected with the said pawls GG, the lever G8, pivotally connected at opposite ends from its fulcrum with the said bars G7, the link G, connecting vthe bar G8 with said frame G, and means, substantially as described, for changing the position of said lever G5, as set forth.

8. In a motor, the rocking frame G, having two hollow arms, G2 and G, the bolts G, supported in said hollow arms,the yielding bars G5, held on said bolts G", and the pawls G6, pivoted on said bars G5, in combination with the bars Gl, pivotally connected with said pawls G6, the lever'GS, pivotally connected at opposite ends from its fulcrum with said bars G7, the link G, connecting the bar G8 with said frame G, the notched arm H2, pivotally connected with one end of said lever G8, and adapted to engage by its notches a lug on said frame G, and the spring H, holding said arm Hgin contact with said lug, substantially as shown and described.

9. In a motor, the combination, with the main driving-shaft F and the clutch-wheels F', secured on the said shaft, of the clutchwheels DS, adapted to engage said clutchwheels F', the shafts D, carrying the said clutch-wheels DS, the fixed collar D3 on said shaft D, the spring Bt, coiled on said shaft D and pressing against the fixed collar D3, the shifting-lever D2, operating against said fixed eollarD,and means,substantially as described, for holding said shifting-lever in position, as set forth.

l0. VIn a motor, the combination, with the frame E, ofthe shaft D, having its bearings in the said frame E, the collar D, fixed on said shaft D, the collar D5, held loosely on said shaft, a screw secured in the said collar Dand engaging a slot, D7, formed in said shaft'D, so as to prevent said collar from turning, a shifting-lever, D2, pivoted on said frame E and adapted to press on said loose collar D3, and the notched plate El, secured on said frame E and adapted to hold said shifting-lever D2 in position,substantially as shown and described.

ll. In a motor, the combination, with the frame E, adapted to slide vertically in suitable bearings, of the lever El, acting on the said frame E, the fixed bracket E, on which said lever E is fulcrumed, the segmental arm E5 on the said bracket EL, notches formed on said segmental arm E5, and lugs secured on the said lever E2 and adapted to engage said notches on the segmental arm, so as to hold said lever E2 in any desired position, substantially as shown and described.

l2. In a motor, the combination, with the steering-shaft O, adapted to operate the steering mechanism, of an arln, I?, pivoted tothe upper end of said shaft O, the plate O2, prog vided with notches Ot, in which is held in a locked position the said arm P, the shoe O3, pivotally connected with the said steeringshaft O, and the arm P2, pivotally connected with said shoe O3, and said arm P, substantiall y as shown and described.

IOO

13. In a motor, the steering-shaft O, the arm P, pivoted on the upper end of the said shaft O, the notched plate O2, for holding said F3, secured to the said shaft F, of the sprocketarm in position, the spring P', holding said arm P in contact With the notches O* on said plate O2, in combination with the shoe O3, pivotally connected to said shaft O, the arm P2, connecting said shoe O3 with said arm P, and the handle P3, secured to said arm P, substantially as shown and described.

14. In a motor, the steering-shaft O, the sprocket-wheel C8, secured on said shaft O, and the sprocket-chain C?, passing over said sprocket-Wheel CB, in combination with the cross-beam G3, adapted to turn on the kingbolt of the main frame, the pins 0*, held in bearings on the outer ends of said cross-beam C3, the sprocket-Wheels C6, secured on said pins C4 and operated by said sprocket-chain O7, the U-shaped frames C5, carrying said pins C, and the steering-Wheels C", mounted in said U-shaped frames C5, substantially as shown and described.

15. In a motor, the combination, with the driving-Wheels B', of the brake shoes Q, held near the rims of said wheels B', the crankarms Q, supporting said shoes Q, the pin Q8, secured on each of said crank-arms Q' and engaging aslot, Q, formed in each of said brakef shoes Q, the shaft Q2, supporting said crankarms Q', the arm Q, secured to said shaft Q2, the link Q4, pivotally connected with said arm Q3, the lever Q5, connected With said link Q4, the lug Q6, formed on said lever Q, and the notched segmental plate Q', secured to the main frame and adapted to hold saidlever Q5 in position, substantially as shown and described.

16. In a motor, the combination, with the main driving-shaft F and the sprocket-Wheel chain F4, actuated by said sprocket-wheel F3,

sprocket-Wheel F5, operated by said sprocketchain F4, the shaft L, carrying said sprocket- Wheel F5, and the liy-Wheels L', secured on said shaft L, substantially` as shown and described.

17. In a motor, the frame E, adapted to slide vertically,` the shaft F, mounted in said frame, and the sprocketwheel F, secured to said shaft F, in combination with the sprocketchain Ff, actuated by said sprocket-Wheel F3, the sprocket-WheelF5, operated by said sprocket-chain F4, the iy-wheel shaft L, supporting said sprocket-wheel F, the tightening-wheels N and N', over which passes said sprocketchain F", and means, substantially as described, for changi ng the relative position of said'chain- Wheels N and N', as set forth.

18. In a motor, the sprocket-wheels F3 andV F5 and the sprocket-chain Fi, passing over said sprocket-wheels F3 and F5, in combination With the chain-tightening Wheel N', the notched arm N5, supporting said Wheel N', the U-shaped clamp N7, adapted to engage the notches in said arm N5, the spring N8, for holding said clamp in contact with the notches of said arm N5, and a keeper, N, supporting said arm N5, and the U-shaped clamp N7, substantially as shown and described.

19. In a motor, the combination, with the standards R4, having a slot, R3, of the rod R", passing through said slot, the notched bar RT, also passing through said slot, the extension R5, secured to said rods R2 and It?, the springs It', pivoted on said extensions R5 and .rest-ing on the lug RG of said extensions, and the seat R, supported by said springs R', substantially as shown and described.

J AMES F. STEFFA.

Witnesses:

O. M. TIMMERMAN, D. B. WAGNER. 

